Motor vehicle body



April 30, 1940.- c. BREER ET AL v IOTOR VEHICLE 'BODYV 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Original Filed March 11, 19:55

ALEX/1ND OLIVER ROBERT ATTORNEYJS.

I 2.l98;653l.

CJBREER ETAL 7 now: VEHICLE BODY Original Filed llar'ch 11,1935

2 Skie'ets-She et 2 v I L 0w 6 ON 8 M m a m m N RH ,YR n ma m m m m mm BM T I LAMR RH M amv Y B Patented A r." 30, 1940 v PATENT OFFICE 2.38.653 MO'IDItVEHIOIE. BODY Carl Breer, Grosse Pointe Park, Alexander G.

Herreshoff, Grosse Pointe Village, and, Oliver H. Clark and Robert Cadwallader, Detroit, Micln, assignors to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Micln, a corporation of Delaware .Orlginal application March 11, 1935, Serial No.

Divided and, ,this application February 1a. 1938, Serial No. 190,886

13 cumin 296-28) This invention relates to motor vehicles and refers more particularly to improvements, in. body structures of motor vehicles, and is a division of ourapplication Serial No. 10,402, filed March 11, 1935. r i l a It is an object of ourinvention to provide a motor vehicle body structure having improved characteristics of strength and rigidity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Eody structure fabricated in an improved maner largely from preformed, built-up, or assembled main body panels or sub-assembly-units, connected together to provide a substantially unitary rigid structure having improved strength and rigidity. A still further object of the invention relates to the provision of novel, relatively strong, durable and emcient joint structures or connections between the various component parts of the body structure: to the provision of improved means for; utilizing the plates, panels or shells of the body structure for, carrying a portion of the stresses, and to improved means for efllciently distributing the latter throughout the body; andto the provision of improved means for bracing the body parts.

More particularly the invention has for its object the provision of improved means for structurally connecting and bracing the body forming side structures or panels, including bracing means adapted to torsionally strengthen the body side structures and to prevent their weaving; to provide connecting means of this type preferably including an X-shaped structure characterized by strength and rigidity; and to structurally connect the bracing andbody forming side structures in a manner to provide a body structure having relatively great strength and rigidity for the weight thereof.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will be more apparent from the following illustrative embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the rear portion of the vehicle body embodying the invention, the section being taken approximately along the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the body.

Fig. 2 is a detail section view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. a Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view,-the section being taken alongthe line-H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view transversely of the body, the viewbeing taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the invention illustrated and described in connection with the rear portion of a closed body structure although it will be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is not to be so limited and may,

.although if desired, the entire body structure may be fabricated or builtup without first providing the aforesaid preformed assembly. The latter are preferable inasmuch as they facilitate manufacture, assembly and servicing of the body structure. The component parts are, for the most part, welded into one unitary rigid structure of improved strength and rigidity. While we prefer to largely weld the component parts due to the advantages resulting therefrom, nevertheless rivets or bolts may be employed to facilitate final assembly and the invention in its broader aspects is not to be limited to the particular type of connecting means.

As set forth in the aforesaid original application, the body structure is preferably formed of four main structural portions adapted to be welded together to form a rigid unitary body structure, such main portions including a front portion (not shown), oppositely disposed side forming body structures or panels, one of which is shown at B, and the body rear panel C. The invention is illustrated and described in connection with the side structures or panels B and the rear panels C, reference to the remaining portion of the body structure being omitted. Furthermore, for the purpose of clarity and brevity the description" will be limited to the typical structure along the right hand half of the body, it

being understood thatthe body and chassis are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal vertical central plane through the vehicle.

The body is preferably mounted on a. vehicle chassis structure including the main ,side rails or sills l0, ll (Fig. 4) and suitable cross members, although the body, in the broader aspects of the invention, may be directly supported as a rigid unit by the vehicle road wheels with appropriate-springs intermediate the latter and the body. The rails l0, II are preferably tensioned members adapted to transmit a portion of the load to the body structure, the latter receiving and distributing stresses throughout the area thereof in the manner set forth in our original at one of the chassis rails for transmitting load to the body structure.

The panel or side structure 3 includes a top rail or sill ii of hollow construction and has an as it is well known in the art and in order to outer channel l8 welded to an inner channel 19, r

the outer channel It being the outer skin of the panel B which extends forwardly of the body.

These channel members cooperate with the various members described in our parent application to provide a unitary column The typical top body rail ll continues rearwardly'beyond the intermediate column 20 and thendivides around a window 2| to form the rear hollow column or door pillar 22 :and the inclined rear extension 23 of top rail I1. The

aforesaid plate l9 thus forms the, inner channeled member of column 22 and extension 231, terminating at 24 where another plate 25 has its upper I edge 2i overlapped with edge 24 and welded thereto. The plate 25 thus provides a downward' the arched rear wheel house structure. The

wheel house 28 extends outwardly from plate 25- to provide the lower part "of the hollow column 22, the latter structure terminating in a forward foot 29 welded at 30 to a" hollow body bottom rail 3| so that the latter and column 22 are structurally continuous. v

It will be understood that the outer shell ll of column 22 is a downward extension of the outer shell 18 of top rail H. The rear wheel fender 32 is removably secured by fasteners 33 to the wheel house 28. The outer skin at It extends rearwardly and. around the curved rear portion of side section B to the weld line 34 for welding to the rear panel C. Above the window 2|, the inner plate I! extends inwardly at 35 spaced from the outer shell I! toproyide a rigid transverse hollow beam, the outer shell having a shouldered flange 36 welded to plate 35 to form therewith a window frame for the window opening 31.

For rigidly connecting the side sections B across the rear of the body, we have provided the transverse shelf brace 38 having side'flanges 39 welded along the lower edge 24 of the plate l9 rearwardly below window 2|, the shelf 138 curving at 39'. to continue upwardly and forwardly around rear window 31 to provide the aforesaid inner panel 35. The forward edge of shelf 38 has a downwardly inclinedstiffener flange 40 to the rear faces of which are welded the side init being understoodthat a tunnel-like housing for the propeller shaft extends longitudinally .of

the body. The tunnel structure is not illustrated best illustrate the body structure the sectionsfor the view in Fig. 1 is taken just to one sidof the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle so that the tunnel is not disclosed.

The channel brace 43 has itsends flared at 45 for welding to a wheel house 22, the front and rear flanges 46 and 41 thereof being welded to a rear floor 48 for the rear compartment or storage space 49. The lower edge of the wheel 1 house 2| is indicated at 50 in Fig. 1 and for additionally supporting floor 4| each wheel house has welded thereto an angle bracket 5| arched at 52 in the path of swing of the rearaxle central drivingstructure 52 to provide clearance there- 1 for.

-' Bolts 54 removably secure the brace 43, and 7 therefore the body parts connected thereto, with the chassis rails II and II. The floor 4! lies 48 having the offset forward edge 56 for this purpose. i

The inner plates I! and .shelf ll are braced between the'wheel house structure 28 and cross 2 brace 42 by'a pair of crossed diagonal brace members 51' and 58 each having stiffener ribs 59 depressed therefrom. Each of the diagonal braces has anupp'er end welded to flange 40 and a side brace 4| while'the lower ends of the 3 diagonal braces are each welded to and between a side brace 4| and the cross brace '48. A central stiffener plate" is welded to the crossed portions of diagonal braces" and 58 whereby a very rigid cross bracing for the"b'oiiy"sides is 3 obtained. The inclined cross bracing provided by braces 51 and SI further serves as the back rest for-the rear'seat (not shown). The shelf 3| constitutes a structural connecting and bracing means for the body side forming structures or panels B, and the relatively rigid 4 diagonally arranged arms or bracesSI and it constitutes an X-brace structurally and torsionaliy bracing the body side structures. The X- brace structure serves as a'means 'for imparting strength and torsional rigidity to the body struc- 4 ture and particularly the side structures, and torsional strains and stresses which may be. induced in the body due to a weaving action-thereof, for-instance, are successfully resisted.

The back panel C has an opening bounded by a flange ii to provide accesst'o the baggage compartment 49 rearward of braces 51 and 52, the flanged opening. being adapted to receive a suitablehin'ged door closure (not shown).

' The rear portion of the body structure is braced I by a transverse hollow brace member '2 having its ends welded to the chassis rails II and H. Fixed to floor 4| and depending from each side thereof is a bracket 63 adapted to removably attach the body structure to the chassis rails by bolts 64. I

'Various modifications and changes will readily be apparent from the teachings of our invention and many changes may be made within the scope and spirit of our invention as defined in the appended claims. our invention in its broader aspects not being limited to the foregoing described illustrative embodiment.

We claim: 1. In amotor vehicle body structure, a pair of sheet metal body forming side structures each having a wheel house, means for structurally uniting and bracing said structures'comprising' transverse bracing, said bracing including a shelf 1 7 including inner and outer panel portions, and

of sheet metal body forming side structures each having a wheel house, each of said side structures means for structurally connecting said side structures comprising transverse bracing, said bracing including a horizontal shelf brace having its opposite end portions structurally connected with a respective inner panel portion, and an X-brace structure structurally connecting said horizontal shelf brace and said wheel houses.

3 ma motor vehicle body structure, a pair of sheet metal body forming side structures each having a wheel house, each of said side structures including companion upper and lower sections, means for structurally connecting the companion sections of said side structures, means for structurally connecting said side structures including a transversely extending shelf member having its opposite end portions connected with a respective body forming side structure adjacent the connection of the companion sections thereof, and bracing means extending between said shelf member and said wheel houses, said bracin means comprising oblique members having end portions structurally connected with said shelf member and said wheel houses respectively.

4. In a motor vehicle body structure, a plurality of fabricated sheet metal body forming side structures each including inner and outer panel portions having a window forming opening therein, each of said structures further including a wheel house, and means for structurally connecting said side structures including transverse bracing, said bracing including ahorizontal plate member having end-portions secured to a respective inner panel portion adjacent said window opening and in vertically spaced relation to said wheel house, said structural bracing means further including relatively rigid oblique members extending between and structurally connecting said horizontal plate member and said wheel houses.

5. In a motor vehicle body structure, a pair of sheet metal body forming side structures each having inner and outer panel portions, and

means for structurally connecting said side 6. In a motor vehicle 'body structurefa pair of sheet metal body side forming structures, a wheel house for each of said structures, an angular plate member secured to each of said wheel houses, means for structurally connecting said side structures comprising transverse bracing,

said bracing including/a horizontal'member have ing end portions structurally connected with a respective side structure, and a relatively rigid X-brace structure extending between said horizontal member and said side structures, said X- brace structure including oblique arms having end portions structurally connected with said horizontal member and said angular plate mem bers respectively.

'7.In a motor vehicle body structure, a pair of sheet metal body side forming structures each including a wheel house, means for structurally connecting said side structures comprising transverse bracing, said bracing including a horizontal plate-like member having end portions structually connected with a respective side structure, said member having a flanged edge portion, and a relatively fl X-brace structure respectively, said arms and said flanged edge portion cooperating to form a rest for a seat back.

8. In a motor vehicle body structure, a hollow compression roof rail extending longitudinally of the body structure, said roof rail including spaced inner and outer connected panels, said panels extending downwardly at the rear of said body structure to provide a hollow door column, a rear transverse panel extended from said outer roof rail panel to form the outer skin of the body structure, said inner panel extending between said column and said rear panel, and a transverse substantially horizontal shelf brace having its outer edge secured to said inner panel extension.

9. In a motor vehicle body structure, a hollow compression roof rail extending longitudinally of the body structure, said roof rail including spaced inner and outer connected panels, said panels extending downwardly at the rear of said body structure to provide a hollow door column, a rear transverse panel extended from said outer roof rail panel to form the uter skin of the body structure, said inner panel extending between said column and said rear panel, a transverse horizontalshelf brace having its outer edge secured to said inner panel extension, saidouter panel extension being formed with a wheelhouse extending between said horizontal member and a rear transverse panel extended from said outer roof rail panel to form the outer skin of the body structure, said inner panel extending between said column and said rear panel, a transverse horizontal shelf brace having its outer edge secured to said inner panel extension, said outer panel extension being formed with a wheelhouse structure below said shelf brace, and a transversely extending inclined brace structure secured to said wheelhouseand the forward said shelf brace.

11. In a motor vehicle body structure, a hollow compression roof rail extending longitudinally of the body structure, said roof rail including spaced inner and outer connected panels, said panels extending downwardly at the rear of said body structure to provide a hollow door column, a rear transverse panelextended'from said outer roof rail panelto form the outer skin of the body structure, said inner panel extending between said-column and said rear panel, a transverse "horizontal shelf brace having its outer edge seportlonof cured to said inner panel extension. said outer panel extension being formed with a wheelhouse structure below said shelf brace, and a transg versely extending inclined brace structure secured to said wheelhouse and the forward portion of said shelf brace, saidbrace structure including a pair of diagonally arranged members.

12. In a motor vehicle body, a pair 01' sheet having a portion thereof extending substantially vertically therefrom, said body having a rear window opening therein, a frame work for said opening, means structurally connecting said side structures including a transversely extending shelfstructure having end portions secured to said stiifen'er members respectively, a floor structure, and brace means extendingbetween said shelf structure and said floor'structure; said aromas brace means including obliquely extending arms having end portions fastened to said shelf struc- .ture.

1'3. In-a motor vehicle body, a plurality of sheet "metal body forming panel structures providing a rear window opening and oppositely disposed'side window openings adjacent the latter, a floor structure and brace means extending sheet metal shelf formingstructure disposed below said window openings and extending rearwardly from a point adjacent said side window openings to a point adjacent said rear window opening, and brace means extending between said floor structure and said shelf structure.

CARL BREER.

ALEXANDER G. HERRESHOFF;

, IVER C R ROBERT 

